Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Morris, Minnesota
70.5% Acceptance Rate
University of Minnesota-Morris — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
70.5%Acceptance Rate
3.54Avg GPA
1145Avg SAT
$25,816Annual Cost
$50,919Grad Salary
30.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
70.5%
Avg GPA
3.54
Avg SAT
1145
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1105–1175
Avg Net Price
$9,110
Need-Based Aid
30.8% receive Pell
University of Minnesota-Morris is a public liberal arts college within the University of Minnesota system, known for its small class sizes, rigorous curriculum, and commitment to environmental sustainability. Offering an elite, high-value education in a supportive campus environment, the college fosters close student-faculty collaboration and critical inquiry. Its focus on intellectual engagement, research, and leadership development makes it a premier choice for students seeking a challenging and transformative liberal arts education.
University of Minnesota-Morris Acceptance Rate
University of Minnesota-Morris is moderately selective — 70.5% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What University of Minnesota-Morris Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 70.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.09
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Minnesota-Morris Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Minnesota-Morris follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 184 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Minnesota-Morris reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Minnesota-Morris GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Minnesota-Morris is 3.54. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.24 and 3.54? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.74–3.94.University of Minnesota-Morris GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.14 – 3.33
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.13
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate ~75% (2024-25); public liberal arts college within the U of M system; ranked top 10 among national public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News 2025; August 15 application deadline (confirm annually).
- American Indian Tuition Waiver is legally mandated by the 1909 federal land transfer - covers full tuition for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, or Canadian First Nations (and qualifying descendants), with no Minnesota residency requirement.
- Campus is carbon-neutral with on-campus wind turbines; ranked #1 in the US for renewable electricity generated per FTE student (Environment America, 2019) - sustainability is an active research and curricular focus, not just a facilities feature.
- Prairie Scholars Award covers full tuition (renewable for 4 years with 2.5 GPA); Morris Scholars Award is a separate partial-tuition competitive scholarship - both require completion of the Community of Scholars invitation process after admission.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Minnesota-Morris
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Minnesota-Morris's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Minnesota-Morris Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of Minnesota-Morris — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of Minnesota-Morris Without SAT or ACT?
University of Minnesota-Morris neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of Minnesota-Morris Average SAT Score: 1145
Admitted students at University of Minnesota-Morris average a 1145 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1145 — Less Competitive
A 1145 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1175 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of Minnesota-Morris allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1105? A retake is worth it at University of Minnesota-Morris — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1145 | 1105 | 1175 |
A score under 1105 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1175+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Minnesota-Morris with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in University of Minnesota-Morris's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Minnesota-Morris
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Minnesota-Morris takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Understand What "Public Liberal Arts College" Actually Means Here - and Why It Matters for Your Application
UMN Morris is one of fewer than 30 public liberal arts colleges in the United States, and it sits within the University of Minnesota system - meaning students get small liberal arts class sizes (roughly 1,100 undergrads), a residential campus culture, and research access through the broader U of M network, all at a significantly lower cost than private liberal arts peers. U.S. News ranks it among the top 10 public liberal arts colleges nationally. Your application should articulate why you specifically want a public liberal arts education - not just a small school, and not just a state school - and what it is about Morris's particular combination of these qualities that fits your plan.
American Indian Students: Know the Tuition Waiver Is a Legal Mandate, Not a Program That Can Be Cut
The American Indian Tuition Waiver at Morris is rooted in the deed transfer of the original campus from the federal government to the State of Minnesota in 1909, following the closure of the Morris Industrial School for Indians. The condition - that American Indian students shall always be admitted free of tuition - has the force of federal law and state statute. Eligible students include enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, or Canadian First Nations, as well as direct descendants. Applicants do not need to be Minnesota residents. This is one of the most significant Indigenous tuition programs in the country and is categorically different from scholarship programs that require annual renewal or can be subject to budget cuts.
Apply for the Prairie Scholars Program - It's Full Tuition and the Competition Is Winnable
UMN Morris offers the Prairie Scholars Award, which covers full tuition and is renewable for up to four years with a 2.5 GPA. Eligible admitted students are invited into the Community of Scholars process, which involves an additional application and likely an interview. The Morris Scholars Award is a separate, partial-tuition competitive scholarship. At an institution this size, with a yield rate around 10%, the scholarship competition is less intense than at comparable private liberal arts schools - high-achieving students who might be borderline for merit aid at a Carleton or Macalester are genuinely competitive for full-tuition awards at Morris.
Engage the Sustainability and Indigenous Studies Strengths in Your Application Essay
Morris is carbon-neutral, with on-campus wind turbines and a biomass gasification plant - it was ranked #1 in the US for renewable electricity generated per student by Environment America in 2019. The campus is also a federally designated Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution, with over 10% of students identifying as Native American. These aren't marketing talking points: they're woven into the academic culture, research opportunities, and community identity. Students interested in environmental science, Indigenous studies, food systems, or sustainability should make direct connections to specific Morris programs and not just describe these as general interests they hope to pursue somewhere.
Expert Insight:
The single largest application failure at UMN Morris is treating it as a consolation alternative to the Twin Cities flagship, without engaging what actually makes Morris its own place. Application essays that describe wanting a "smaller version" of the U of M, or that focus on Minneapolis amenities, or that don't demonstrate any awareness of the boarding school history, the carbon-neutral campus, or the Native American-Serving designation tend to read as misdirected. Morris and UMN Twin Cities have separate admissions processes and completely different academic cultures; an application calibrated for one will not serve the other well.
University of Minnesota-Morris Profile
Full Name
University of Minnesota-Morris
City
Morris
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
56267
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Minnesota-Morris Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Minnesota-Morris is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $63,500, and graduates see a 3.02% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of Minnesota-Morris Cost?
Listed tuition runs $25,816/year at University of Minnesota-Morris; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $9,110.
At University of Minnesota-Morris, 30.8% receive a Pell Grant and 38.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of Minnesota-Morris on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of Minnesota-Morris Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of Minnesota-Morris graduates report a median income of $50,919, about 25% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Minnesota-Morris. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 1100 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Minnesota-Morris. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Minnesota-Morris. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at University of Minnesota-Morris
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Minnesota-Morris Admissions
University of Minnesota-Morris graduates earn a moderate median salary of $50,919/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Minnesota-Morris is relatively affordable, around $25,816/year.
30.8% of University of Minnesota-Morris students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Minnesota-Morris's acceptance rate is 70.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Minnesota-Morris students is 3.54, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.24 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Minnesota-Morris. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.14 or below makes admission tougher at University of Minnesota-Morris, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
University of Minnesota-Morris weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1145, and within the 1105–1175 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Minnesota-Morris's deadline is February 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026 — that's University of Minnesota-Morris's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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